Dipa Karmakar says Beti bachao, beti padhao, beti khelao in rousing speech

Dipa Karmakar says Beti bachao, beti padhao, beti khelao in rousing speech

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Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar returned home to a rousing reception, and made her mark with a moving speech at a grand felicitation ceremony. The 23-year-old, who grabbed the attention of the nation with her performance in Rio, has urged the country to save girls, educate them, and let them play.

“I request all the girls to study well and play sports. Beti bachao, betipadhao, betikhelao (Save the girl child, educate the girl child and encourage the girl child to play),” Dipa said while addressing the large gathering at her felicitation.

The Agartala-born girl, who captured the imagination of the nation with her Produnova at the Rio Olympics, has also dismissed the myth that Indian coaches are not good enough. She drove her point home by citing the examples of Gopichand, Kuldeep Malik, and her own coach Bishweshwar Nandi.

“The Indian coaches are capable of producing top class athletes. Our Indian coaches are no less [than foreign coaches]. Olympics silver medallist P.V. Sindhu’s coach [P. Gopi Chand] is Indian, bronze medallist Sakshi Malik’s coach is Indian [Kuldeep Malik] and Dipa Karmakar’s good performance is because of an Indian coach [Bishweshwar Nandi],” said Dipa, reported the Hindu.

Dipa's coach Bishweshwar Nandi also spoke about the promise he made to his prodigy and has urged the Government to improve gymnastics facilities in the state.

“When Dipa finished fourth in Rio, I promised her that in the next Olympics I would help her get a medal. For this I request the State government to complete the reconstruction work of the regional centre for gymnastics here as soon as possible,” Bishweshwar Nandi said.

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